10 Facts About Cold Sores

10 Facts About “Cold Sores” Everyone Should KnowEver heard of cold sores or fever blisters? Well, most people if not all, still don’t have a clear idea of what this condition really means.With so many misinformation out there, people’s perception is often clouded with quite a lot of myths, many of which are not based on facts or accurate science. What are cold sores? Are they contagious? How do we get them? "Cold sore" is a more pleasant term for oral herpes. It is caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) which is categorized into two types: (HSV-1, or oral herpes) and herpes type 2 (HSV-2, or genital herpes). These types of herpes are very common, contagious, and incurable — but are treatable.HSV-1 often causes sores around the mouth and lips (sometimes called fever blisters or cold sores). It is usually transmitted through mouth secretions or sores (oral-to-oral contact). HSV-2, on the other hand, is the most common cause of genital herpes. It spreads through secretions from the mouth and genitals. The virus can be transmitted via vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or by any skin-on-skin contact with an open sore.There are so many key facts on cold sores everyone should know about. Whether or not you have them, it’s important that you are guided on the matter to help you better understand the condition.

So here are 10 of the surprising facts, everyone should know:

1. Most People Have HSV-1 or Oral HerpesThere is about 2/3 or 67% of the world's population already has the virus that causes cold sores, or the HSV-1 oral herpes.As for the HSV-2, there's 1 in 6, according to the Center For Disease Control (CDC).

2. Cold Sores aren’t just exclusive on the lipsCold sores can also pop up on other body parts including the area around the nose and even on the tongue. So, it just makes sense to carry with you around some natural remedy cream which you could easily apply on the affected parts.

3. Many infected people don't have symptomsIndividuals who are infected don’t know they have it. The symptoms don’t show up which then makes it difficult to track.This means that transferring the virus to another is more likely because you can do so without showcasing an outbreak.

4. HSV-1 or Oral Herpes Can Be Transmitted To The GenitalsIf an individual with active herpes on the mouth performs oral sex, he or she can transfer whichever strain of herpes he or she has to the other person’s genitals.

5. HSV-2 or Genital herpes is unlikely to spread to the mouthWhile you know that oral herpes can be transmitted to the genitals via orals sex, science revealed that genital herpes may not likely to transfer to the mouth. One reason that makes herpes transmission to the mouth rare and uncommon is that many people have already contracted HSV-1 from childhood, making them partially immune to HSV-2

6. You can transfer the virus even without an active soreAlthough HSV lesions are most contagious when they are active, a person without a visible sore or an active cold sore, the virus can still be transmitted during this period.

7. The first episode is usually the worst"Primary herpes gingivostomatitis” is the first episode of a cold sore. It is usually the most painful, the longest lasting, and the most aggressive looking, or in short—the worst! If left untreated, this can take the form of painful sores affecting the mouth, gum, throat and lips, which may last for more than 14 days. So before it causes you so much discomfort which may affect your eating habit, better take some antiviral medicine. You may also apply Virasoothe to itching, throbbing, and tingling parts to bring immediate soothing relief to the pain.

8. Stress is the most common factor that triggers a cold soreIt’s no secret stress affects our body in many ways. It can zap and weaken our immune system, making it more difficult for the body to ward off biological intruders, such as flu (viruses) and infection (bacteria), thus making us sick. When this happens, it would be easier for a cold sore to flare-up.

9. Intense sunlight and cold weather causes cold sore outbreakThe sudden change in weather may increase the risk of developing a cold sore. Just as the intense sunlight can burn your lips-- an ideal spot for cold sores to surface, so can cold weather causing your lips to dry and crack. It would be easier for the HSV-1 virus to attack, and make a painful situation worse.With these weather changes, it’s best to be prepared. Using a natural remedy Virasoothe lip balm regularly will keep your lips moistened, preventing outbreaks from damaging your mouth.

10. It can't be cured but can be treatedLet’s accept it, once we get the virus, there’s no way it’s going to leave us. It will stay in our body forever. Though it isn't curable, we can still do away with the constant cold sore outbreaks by taking prescription pills. There have also been reported successful natural remedies that were proven to not only shorten the course of an active cold sore but even prevented an outbreak from developing. Such cold sore treatments include Virasoothe Concentrate, a powerful, synergistic blend that is strong enough to stop cold sores before they even appear.

Navigation

Categories

Stay Connected

Subscribe

yourname@email.com

You will not hear from Simply Essential more than a few times a year. We give subscriber-only discounts. Your details will never be revealed to a 3rd party. Subscribe now to receive the next discount offer.